Manufacturers are touting electric trucks, and the media are shining attention on them. Whether or not they make operational or financial sense at this time, the day may come sooner than a lot of folks think. E-trucks are now available for sale and yes, they are entirely usable.
An example is this International eMV, the electric version of the builder’s ubiquitous diesel-powered medium-duty trucks. It’s one of 125 that International had built by December, 30 of which are in service, most with van or boom bodies. I took this one around the Navistar Proving Grounds in northern Indiana and found the viper red utility truck easy and fun to drive. It drove a lot like a diesel version.
Bruce Vasbinder, director of medium-duty segment marketing for Navistar International, suggested I first take the standard International MV out onto the 2.5-mile paved track. I did, and it drove and handled as I expected: gutsy performance from the Cummins B6.7 diesel and an Allison 3000 series automatic transmission, a good seating position, and plenty of room in the steel cab. I parked that truck, and then we approached the eMV.
Read the complete evaluation of the International eMV here.
